In Nigeria, The Ministry of Power, Works and Housing has on Monday commissioned the Kukwaba 2X60MVA 132/33KV transmission sub-station‎ in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. This will add a further 120MW to the 96MW wheeling capacity of the FCT distribution networks.

Speaking at the ceremony, Permanent secretary of the Ministry, Louis Edozien, said the sub-station would address issues of overloading and increase sources of transmission supply in the capital city, while also improving energy distribution to power consumers.

Also present at the ceremony, the Managing director of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Usman Gur Mohammed, disclosed that the project would be handed over to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC). He added that plans have been concluded to construct five more sub-stations. “They include, one in Apo,‎ Kuje, Gwarimpa and the other in Lokogoma. We have done the pre-contract qualification, and we have given the tender to the contractors.”

Let’s recall that the initial engineering procurement and construction contract for the substation was awarded to North China Power Engineering Company (NCPEC) in 2006 at a cost of $3.2 million but was later revoked in 2010, due to the slow progress of work. In 2011, indigenous company, News Engineering Nigeria Ltd., was re-awarded the contract for the erection and commissioning of the 2x60MVA 132/33KV substation at Kukwaba and the 2x132KV Line bays extension at Katampe substation at a revised cost of about $1 million.

Anita Fatunji